programming

noun pro·gram·ming \ ˈprō-ˌgra-miŋ , -grə- \

variants: or less commonly programing

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of programming

1 : the planning, scheduling, or performing of a program

2 a : the process of instructing or learning by means of an instructional program

b : the process of preparing an instructional program for a device (such as a computer)

See programming defined for English-language learners

See programming defined for kids

Examples of programming in a Sentence

The news conference interrupted regular television programming.

Recent Examples of programming from the Web

Irina van Dusen, who heads the effort as chief of Voice of America's Russian-language programming, knows what propaganda looks like.

— NBC News, "One tiny corner of the U.S. government pushes back against Russian disinformation," 15 Apr. 2018
In previous Arab-Israeli crises, popular Arab media outlets would have typically broadcast wall-to-wall coverage accompanied by furious talk shows and mobilizational programming, drowning out all other issues.

— marc lynch, Washington Post, "Why Gaza’s ‘March of Return’ isn’t dominating Arab headlines," 13 Apr. 2018
The occasion drew luminaries from the worlds of fashion, art, philanthropy, and more, and also raised over $1.2 million for ICP’s exhibitions and educational programming, including its youth-focused community programs.

— Vogue, "Anna Wintour, Hailey Baldwin, and More Celebrate Photography at the ICP Infinity Awards," 10 Apr. 2018
Winners in each of the Peabody's six categories -- children's programming, entertainment, news, documentary, public service and radio/podcast -- will be revealed in a series of announcements in coming weeks.

— mike scott, NOLA.com, "NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, WVUE-Fox 8 named Peabody Award finalists," 10 Apr. 2018
The full schedule won’t be released for a couple of months, but Schell says the society is planning a wide range of programming, much of it free and open to the public.

— ryan kost, San Francisco Chronicle, "Asia Society to host weeks-long event examining climate change," 9 Apr. 2018
Villanova has become a model not just of a program but of programming, a humming machine Wright has been honing since his hiring in 2001.

— dan greene, SI.com, "Villanova's Dominance Proves the Power of a Well-Built Program," 3 Apr. 2018
Job duties include information assistance, reader advisory and programming, including weekly storytimes.

— tyler langan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Looking for a new job? Germantown is hiring.," 7 Feb. 2018
Unlike the 2010 infomercial, this was official Sinclair news programming, not an ad.

— dylan matthews, Vox, "Sinclair Broadcast Group, the pro-Trump, conservative company taking over local news, explained," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'programming.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.